Pocono runners plan show of support for Boston Monday night

The Pocono running community will hold a show of solidarity for the victims of last Monday's Boston Marathon bombings on Monday night in Stroudsburg.

Runners and non-runners are invited to gather at Ready Set Run on Lower Main Street at 6:30 p.m. for a 2.6 mile run, a symbolic nod to the 26.2 mile length of a marathon.

It's part of a national event conceived by the Independent Running Retailers Association. The group is connecting stores across the country to host simultaneous fun runs to show support for those affected in Boston.

"We're so far away and we want to do something," Ready Set Run store owner Trish D'Imperio said. "This is a way for our community to do something to help the victims."

D'Imperio hopes to raise money for the victims of the bombings through the sale of T-shirts that will say "Runners for Boston." Those same T-shirts will be sold across the country for the event.

D'Imperio is absorbing all the costs of the T-shirts and printing. Every dollar raised will go to the victims.

The money raised will go to OneFundBoston, a fund created by the governor of Massachusetts and mayor of Boston to help the families affected by the bombings at last Monday's race.

Anyone attending is asked to wear past Boston Marathon gear or yellow and blue, the official colors of the Boston Marathon.

There is no cost to participate in the walk/run.

The price of the T-shirts is $20. Because of the short lead time to organize the event, orders for the T-shirts will be taken on Monday and will be available for pickup at the store the weekend of April 27.

"Walkers are welcome. Any non-runners too. Anyone who wants to come out. It's just our show of support," D'Imperio said.